SerpApi.Org
The SNES is one of the most popular consoles in Nintendo's history. its library of games, in terms of pure fun, is nearly unmatched, and dozens of its titles are nothing short of iconic.
That being said, there are still some SNES masterpieces that completely outshine all others. Be they platformers, RPGs, or something completely different, these games rank among the greatest of all time, and are flawless from start to finish.
Super Metroid Is an Ancestor to Modern Metroidvanias
The existence of the Metroidvania genre can be credited to two video game franchises: Metroid and Castlevania. In the case of the former, the validity of Metroidvanias as a distinct genre from the usual platforming and action-adventure affairs can be traced to Super Metroid, a successor to both the first Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus.
Players are never expected to follow any exact paths that will lead to another area in the game. Instead, they will have to rely on their wits and reflexes to bypass enemies that lurk within corridors or open alleys. Each of the game's bosss also has many ways of being defeated.
Super Metroid is bound to be an overwhelming experience for the uninitiated, but it doesn't take too long to get into the game's rhythm. Playing the game for as long as possible will let players appreciate the game's stunning graphics and haunting soundtrack, which only adds to the tension that keeps playing on the edge of their seats.
Final Fantasy VI Changed JRPGs Forever
Final Fantasy VI, originally released in the U.S. as Final Fantasy III, marked a turning point for JRPGs. For starters, the game isn't set in a mystical medieval fantasy land, but rather a semi-futuristic steampunk world that proves to be even more oppressive than the settings in older Final Fantasy games.
However, steampunk aesthetics aren't the only thing that Final Fantasy VI has going for it, especially compared to Chrono Trigger. There is also the game's plot, which completely subverts players' expectations. The game starts out as a normal JRPG romp where the player's party works to take down Kefka Palazzo, who threatens to destroy the world, but then one of the biggest plot twists ever occurs, as the mad clown actually succeeds.
Final Fantasy VI forces players to confront new horrors that arise from this post-apocalyptic reality. At the very least, the Active Time Battle system is here to allow players to take down enemies with what precision they can. Think of any JRPG made today, especially those with cruel plot twists. It's likely they use Final Fantasy VIas an inspiration and benchmark for their stories.
Super Mario World Is the Ultimate 2D Platformer
Super Mario World was a SNES launch title, and the perfect example of what the console was capable of compared to the original NES. The game improves upon the platforming mechanics of previous Super Mario games., with players now able to run a lot faster, spin-jump on enemies or certain blocks, and fly to their heart's content.
The level designs are also more varied and colorful than ever, with Mario being able to traverse through grasslands, forests, tundra, and even space. Beyond all this, Super Mario World's biggest addition to the Mario franchise is a new character: Yoshi. Mario is able to ride the friendly green dinosaur, and he's since become an icon in his own right.
Chrono Trigger Is the Best SNES JRPG
Chrono Trigger is the SNES game to end all SNES games. It's not just one of the console's best JRPGs, nor is it just one of the best RPGs on the system; it's one of the best RPGs ever made. With a development team consisting of veterans of both Square's Final Fantasy franchise and Enix's Dragon Quest franchise, the result was an RPG that combined the best of both worlds.
The game has a lot going on, especially when it comes to its story, which is not set in one particular time period. Chrono Trigger begins in the year 1000 AD, where three of the seven playable characters — Crono, Lucca, and Marle — all discover they will have to travel through time in order to stop a massive catastrophe from happening.
The neatest thing with the game's story is how it integrates itself into the gameplay. This is mainly through the aforementioned time travel mechanics, which allow players to cycle through different periods of time at their own volition. As for combat, it borrows the Final Fantasy franchise's signature Active Time Battle system, which allows each party member to quickly use their powerful attacks against enemies.
Most modern RPGs could learn from Chrono Trigger, which is to say they should consider what the game did right and apply those lessons. Whether it be its fast combat system, its time-travel mechanics, or its cast of memorable characters, Chrono Trigger couldn't be a more perfect RPG.
